Regions are warned to avoid travel in freezing conditions

After scores of road accidents and freezing conditions, police in one English region advise people not to travel unless “absolutely required”.

The Avon and Somerset Police stated Tuesday morning that they had advised people to travel only if necessary, after receiving more than 100 reports of road accidents in less than five hours, according to the press agency.

Between 6pm and 11pm Monday night, 53 road traffic accidents were reported by the police. Most of these were caused by dangerous driving conditions due to freezing weather. The force stated that seven of these incidents had caused injuries but were not considered serious.

Yesterday the UK’s Health Security Agency issued a Level 3 cold alert for “extreme winter weather”.

Mark Runacris, Avon and Somerset director, stated that “we advise the public not to travel unless absolutely necessary due to treacherous driving circumstances.” If travel is absolutely necessary, we ask that the public exercise extreme caution and allow for additional travel time.

He said, “We are working together with local authorities to ensure road safety before rush hour traffic arrives to enhance driving conditions.”

The Met Office stated that the entire country would continue to experience cold temperatures until Friday morning.

Forecasters have issued Yellow Ice Warnings across southern England from 10am to 10am today. This warning is in place because of the possibility of icing causing dangerous driving conditions. A separate yellow warning is in effect for snow and ice in Cornwall, Devon, and beyond.

Just after 3am Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted that “Police are urging motorists not to travel as it is heavily snowing across the region.”